Newsroom // News Releases

November 09, 2005

WOCCU's CEO and Board Chairman Meet with Ukrainian CU System

Madison, WI — World Council of Credit Unions'
(WOCCU) board chairman Gary Plank and chief
executive officer Pete Crear recently met with
new World Council member, the Ukrainian National
Association of Savings and Credit Unions
(UNASCU),
in Kiev, Ukraine.

During meetings with Petro Kozynets,
president of UNASCU, his staff, Crear and
Plank
were also able to meet with the Head of the State
Commission for Regulation of the Financial
Services
Market in the Ukraine, Olena Y. Zbarazhska and
other key
government officials to discuss the future
regulation and strengthening of credit unions.
Zbarazhska was very supportive of credit unions,
especially as a weapon to combat money lenders
who are taking advantage of Ukrainian citizens
without access to credit unions.

The World Council delegation witnessed the
Ukrainian Associations' first CEO Institute, a
basic short course on financial and management
basics for credit union leaders and volunteers.
Training and regulation are two of the most
important initiatives for Ukraine's credit
union system.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development agency for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented more than 290 technical assistance programs in 71 countries. Worldwide, 57,000 credit unions in 103 countries serve 208 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.